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School is out. But at one school, the free lunch keeps coming.

Wed, 06/12/2019

An elementary school in Stockton, California will provide free lunches all summer, even while classes are out of session.

Creekside Elementary School is one of hundreds of schools in California participating in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture. It reimburses schools that provide free lunches during the summer in low-income areas.

“I love this program,” Lodi Unified School District Food Service Supervisor Renee Sanchez told Fox 40. “It is very important to our communities, as well as our students, because a lot of these kids don't eat three meals a day when school’s not in session. Sometimes we’re their only source of nutrition during a regular school day. Our program during the school year feeds breakfast, lunch, snack and supper.”

When they first began, LUSD served around 25 kids. Now, Sanchez says they’re up to 75 or more. With 15 other locations served in Stockton and Lodi, she says the district is handing out about 3,000 meals a day.